Reason No. 3: Obama and his allies did a splendid job of tearing down Romney throughout the spring and summer.

What Obama hasn't done nearly as effectively is lay out an inspiring agenda for the next four years.

Obama hasn't been specific or assertive on the campaign trail, touting the economic progress the country has made but giving voters little in the way of specific proposals to energise a stalled job market.

He has often seemed at a loss for new ideas and arguments about improving the economy.